Differentiating intolerance of uncertainty from three related but distinct constructs

Abstract

Individual differences in uncertainty have been associated with heightened anxiety, stress and approach-oriented coping. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is a trait characteristic that arises from negative beliefs about uncertainty and its consequences. Researchers have established the central role of IU in the development of problematic worry and maladaptive coping, highlighting the importance of this construct to anxiety disorders. However, there is a need to improve our understanding of the phenomenology of IU. The goal of this paper was to present hypotheses regarding the similarities and differences between IU and three related constructs--intolerance of ambiguity, uncertainty orientation, and need for cognitive closure--and to call for future empirical studies to substantiate these hypotheses. To assist with achieving this goal, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, which also served to identify current gaps in knowledge. This paper differentiates these constructs by outlining each definition and general approaches to assessment, reviewing the existing empirical relations, and proposing theoretical similarities and distinctions. Findings may assist researchers in selecting the appropriate construct to address their research questions. Future research directions for the application of these constructs, particularly within the field of clinical and health psychology, are discussed.

Psychophsyiological reactivity during uncertainty and ambiguity processing in high and low worriers

“…In other words, intolerance of uncertainty is related to future stimuli but not to present ones. This is in keeping with the differentiation of uncertainty and ambiguity as proposed by Grenier and others (Buhr & Dugas, 2006;Grenier et al, 2005;Rosen et al, 2014).…”

“…For other samples, levels of processing, or tasks, no experimental studies were available so far. The need for further research on that topic was also demanded by a recent review which described an unpublished study on the temporal order in the association between IA and IU (Rosen, Ivanova, & Knaeuper, 2014).…”

Relación entre ansiedad, desempeño y riesgo de deserción en aspirantes a bachillerato

“…Otro aspecto pendiente, sería abordar desde un punto de vista conceptual y metodológico la investigación de las tendencias de respuesta ansiosas de las personas, en relación a la ejecución académica, en particular, siguiendo las sugerencias de algunos autores (Rosen et al, 2014) para diferenciar la intolerancia a la incertidumbre de la intolerancia a la ambigüedad, la necesidad de cierre cognitivo y podríamos añadir, la curiosidad. Estos aspectos podrían también explorarse mediante técnicas alternativas al autorreporte.…”

“…El estudio de la ansiedad y de sus repercusiones en la calidad de vida de las personas ha generado un gran cantidad de literatura científica en las últimas décadas (Rosen, Ivanova, & Knäuper, 2014).…”

“…Autores como Rosen et al (2014) subrayan la importancia de desagregar algunos de los componentes de las respuestas emocionales de ansiedad, con el fin de entender mejor los resultados aparentemente contradictorios reportados en la literatura especializada, en especial ellos sugieren diferenciar de manera fina los componentes de intolerancia hacia la incertidumbre, de la intolerancia hacia la ambigüedad y de la necesidad de cierre cognitivo.…”